Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus vs Kennesaw State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and Kennesaw State University are closely matched on financial return. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus scores 62/100 while Kennesaw State University scores 60/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Kennesaw State University comes in at $15,048 per year (net price after aid) versus $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - a difference of $17,827 annually, or roughly $71,308 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $63,435 compared to $57,552 at Kennesaw State University. The payback period is 9.5 years at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus versus 8.9 years at Kennesaw State University.
Graduates leave Kennesaw State University with a median $23,833 in debt versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.57 and 0.62 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Pennsylvania State Univer... | Kennesaw State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $20,644 | $5,808 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,790 | $17,736 |
| Net Price (avg) | $32,875 | $15,048 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $131,500 | $60,192 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,600 | $38,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,435 | $57,552 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.1% | 52.2% |
| Payback Period | 9.5 yr | 8.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $25,000 | $23,833 |
| Monthly Payment | $265 | $253 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.57 | 0.62 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 79.3% | 69.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.8% | 60.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 60.6% | 69.2% |
| Enrollment | 42,284 | 41,254 |
| SAT Range | 1240-1420 | 1000-1220 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Pennsylvania State U... | Kennesaw State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $19,845 | $12,235 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $20,049 | $12,661 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $25,667 | $15,185 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $31,834 | $18,263 |
| $110,001+ | $37,831 | $19,309 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Pennsylvania State U... | Kennesaw State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $120,729 | $83,249 |
| Computer Engineering | $112,269 | $103,054 |
| Computer Science | $101,854 | $96,481 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $98,637 | $95,958 |
| Electrical Engineering | $93,277 | $96,935 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $96,714 | $81,002 |
| Information Science | $91,671 | $84,364 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $81,472 | $91,329 |
| Registered Nursing | $91,032 | $87,935 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,997 | $88,860 |
| Accounting | $88,192 | $77,710 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $79,342 | $83,083 |
| Civil Engineering | $81,403 | $83,012 |
| Environmental Engineering | $80,855 | $61,701 |
| Mathematics | $77,336 | $79,833 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Pennsylvania State U... | Kennesaw State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 46 | 79 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 64 | 69 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 58 | 45 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 44 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 68 | 38 |
| Overall ROI Score | 62 | 60 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus edges out Kennesaw State University by 2 points (62 vs 60), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Kennesaw State University
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.